Location
  • Japan
    • Kyoto
Length
1 to 6 weeks
Language
Japanese

Program Details

Language Level
BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced
Immersion Level
Intensive Standard
Class Size
Medium Class (8-15)
Weekly Classroom Hours
15
Housing
Apartment Guesthouse Host Family Hotel
Age Min.
14

Pricing

Starting Price
$218 USD
Price Details
Price is for one week. Check our website for more details on course lengths and prices.
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Classes
Jan 21, 2020
Sep 27, 2019

About Program

The Kyoto JaLS Standard Course includes 15 morning Japanese lessons every week that focus on speaking and day-to-day Japanese conversation. Classes are conducted entirely in Japanese and are limited to 8 people, which allows for plenty of individualized attention, time to ask questions, and practice speaking. We also have many Japanese volunteers who work around the school and participate in weekly activities, giving students the opportunity to improve their Japanese in a setting other than the classroom, make friends, and experience Japan from the inside – not just as a tourist.

Students can also attend 3 weekly optional activities. Enjoy all that Kyoto has to offer, including festivals and fireworks in the summer, or the famous temples in the surrounding area throughout the year! Join us any time and enjoy learning Japanese in the beautiful city of Kyoto!

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Small Classes.
  • Competitive Prices.
  • Flexibility.
  • Local Japanese Volunteers.
  • Amazing Location.

Related Programs

Program Reviews

9.83 Rating
based on 23 reviews
  • 9-10 rating 100%
  • 7-8 rating 0%
  • 5-6 rating 0%
  • 3-4 rating 0%
  • 1-2 rating 0%
  • Instruction 9.6
  • Support 9.9
  • Fun 9.9
  • Housing 9.7
  • Value 9.6
Showing 1 - 8 of 23 reviews
Default avatar
Noseong
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

JaLS Kyoto Review

It has been satisfying for 9 weeks. Everything was perfect and I was impressed by the support at the school. The teachers are kind of teaching and always try to let us understand well.

When I arrived I only understood how to read Horagana but now I can speak Japanese and express my feelings and opinions as well. Thanks to teachers I could speak Japanese.

In addition, the staff were also kind so that they let us know what Kyoto is like well. Thanks to the staff, I am now interested in Kyoto and Japan. I am company employee so that I want to work in Japan if I have an opportunity. With their support I could stay well in Japan.

I really recommend other people who are interested in Japanese to attend this school. Because I was satisfied with the school.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Kindness. Japanese people are really kind. School staff and teachers were always kind
11 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lawrence
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Spring Course with Hokkaido JaLS

The small size of class is perfect for practicing conversation of a language. JalS staffs are energetic and helpful as they can speak in Japanese and English during non-lesson hours and cultural activities. The home stay life is the best choice if you want to integrate into the local life.

Visit unique coffee lounge where great care and pleasure has been taken to create a thoroughly relaxing environment and atmosphere for you to enjoy a bit of time out. You are invited to take a seat in one of comfortable chairs or relax on one of sofas and read the note or books. Keep stay there for a tasty local coffee or drinks and enjoy communicating with your classmates or new friends.

Let the study life in JalS be the happiest moment in your memory.

11 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Chaelin
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

6 weeks in Japan with Jals

When I decided to enter JALS Hokkaido, my goal was just to learn more Japanese. But through the spring course, I had an amazing experience for 6 weeks I'd never imagined before.

Jals was always full of students who want to learn Japanese and also there were a lot of Japanese studying foreign languages. Cafe of jals is literally the perfect place for people who want to share their language with others.

One of the best parts of spring course was its cultural activities. Activies such as making soba, making own chopsticks definetely helped me experience diverse cultures of Japan. I also had a lot of fun with the staffs and other students during the activities.

The class of jals was different from any other language schools. I definitely had more chance to speak japanese and have conversation with classmates and I found out it's much more helpful not only for developing speaking ability but also grammar or kanjis.

I really enjoyed my 6 weeks in jals, and I still believe it was the best decision to join jals.

10 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Aaron
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

7 weeks of fun

JaLS definitely provides a really great experience no matter who you are.
The staff is very friendly and helpful and they will talk Japanese/English with you to help you practice.
The classes are especially good due to their small sizes. The teachers will help you with all questions and it just seems more personal.
The cultural experiences were always a lot of fun and super interesting.
They really helped to make you understand Japanese culture and traditions more.
I think all living options are great but I went with the share house option which was exactly the right choice for me.
If you want to meet a lot of new people and have some great times even outside of school I can’t recommend the share house option enough.
All in all it’s a great experience I would recommend to anyone who’s looking for some fun time while learning a great language!

12 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Alexandria
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer Program

For the beginning of this summer I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to complete an internship with Kyoto JaLS for 7 weeks. During this time I took Japanese classes, gained many skills through interning and experienced the wonderful culture of the area with new friends.

While in Kyoto, I lived in a sharehouse and absolutely loved it. My roommates and I always planned get togethers and would host things like pancake nights, curry night, omurice parties, and an okonomiyaki party. Life in the sharehouse made my time in Japan unforgettable- I will treasure the time I got to spend with all the amazing people I got to live with for 7 weeks! I definitely recommend living in a sharehouse because it’s a great way to engage with local people as well as fellow JaLS students.

One thing I really appreciated was how small the class sizes were, because it ensured personal attention from the instructors. All of my teachers were amazing! They made the classes more interactive by including learning games and challenged us to converse only in Japanese. The teachers and staff members were helpful, cooperative, and always available for any kind of support. Additionally, they created a friendly and welcoming environment which made me feel at home! :)

The activities organized by JaLS provided me with the opportunity to truly experience Japan on a deeper level, develop my Japanese, and make friends with other JaLS students and the locals. I became friends with many students from different parts of the world which allowed me to experience and learn about different cultures. Overall, my experience at JaLS was WONDERFUL, and I recommend it to those who want to experience Japanese culture while making incredible memories and gaining useful skills!

10 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Maren
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Kyoto's cultural experience through language

I came to Kyoto for the culture and historical sightseeing spots and stayed for the people.
In the three month, I took classes at JALS I could improve my Japanese drastically. The teachers at JALS were always very patient and, even though strict at times, they encourage their students to speak Japanese which makes learning a fun and rewarding experience.
Thanks to the teacher and staff, I was able to make friends by only using Japanese and was able to see parts of Kyoto's life that wouldn't be possible as a normal tourist. The love and support I received from the people here make this stay really unforgettable. Only heavy heartedly I will leave this city and JALS to venture for new experiences to other parts of Japan. But I'm sure, that someday I will return to Kyoto to visit all the friends one more time.

What would you improve about this program?
Having more free activities that brings Japanese and Jals students together
11 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lance
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Stress-Free Learning in Kyoto

This is my second time at studying at JaLS and both times it has been fantastic for my Japanese studying. The teachers are very knowledgeable and friendly, and the atmosphere of the lounge is perfect for relaxing or studying. The activities provided by the school provide great opportunities to meet new people and practice Japanese. Kyoto JaLS is located in the heart of Kyoto, one of Japan's most historic and beautiful cities. Even outside of the classes and activities, the city itself is filled with so much history and culture. There is endless sightseeing and delicious food to eat. Aside from that, Kyoto is centrally located in Japan and weekend trips to other cities like Osaka and Kobe are very easy. If you are looking to learn Japanese in a casual, international environment in Kyoto, I highly recommend Kyoto JaLS.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would go for longer! I needed more time to truly experience Kyoto!
10 people found this review helpful.
Josiah
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Choice I Made

Living in Kyoto, going to Jaals every day for four weeks was not only one of the most important things that I have done in recent memory but it also drastically made a difference in my language learning abilities. From the onset of reaching out, they were very responsive.Once I got to Japan, they had me taxied from the airport straight to school and gave me direct support after the first day with detailed hand-drawn instructions and call support any time I needed it. Once I met my host family I felt right at home. We really connected
I share some of my most cherished memories with them. We spoke Japanese every day during breakfast and dinner and we even took weekend trips together. Without Jaals I wouldn't have the host stay experience that I had, I wouldn't have felt as comfortable, and I certainly wouldn't have learned Japanese as fast I did. Immersed in Japanese life is exhilarating, Jaals process and support make it seamless. They support you from the moment you apply to the moment you leave. The people's generosity, personal generosity, touches and warms my heart.
Once school started I easily found myself making friends in the international environment as well as getting very close with the professors. Whether you are here on vacation or before your study abroad experience, like I was, Kyoto Jaals was the best decision I could've made. They are efficient, incredibly friendly, and provide more than enough in every aspect. 10/10 would recommend.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Take a risk on a host family. Don't be afraid. If you genuinely don't like it Jaals can and will work with you to make a change. However, when I was first coming in I was so nervous about being with a host family. Maybe I was too old, that I wouldn't want to live under anyone else's rules. However, in reflection, moving in with a host family, was undoubtedly one of the most rewarding experience of my life in finding joy, experiencing the culture, and learning the language.
10 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers